New Mexico is the only state with an official question — “Red or green?” — in reference to what kind of chile to eat with your meal. There’s nowhere in the world that loves chiles as much as New Mexico, which grows 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) of chiles. When visiting the state you’ll have myriad opportunities to sample chile-infused dishes, as the spicy vegetable is present in almost everything (and if it’s not, you can always add red or green chile on top). One of the best chile dishes is Chile Rellenos, which features roasted chiles stuffed with fresh or cheddar cheese, lightly dipped in batter and lightly fried. It’s a savory, spicy and tangy dish bursting with flavor and a quintessential New Mexico experience.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
